scholarly journals Investigating the microwave heating behaviour of lunar soil simulant JSC-1A at different input powers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sungwoo Lim ◽  
James Bowen ◽  
Giulia Degli-Alessandrini ◽  
Mahesh Anand ◽  
Aidan Cowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microwave Heating ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Input Power ◽  
Thermal Runaway ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Heating Efficiency ◽  
Microwave Apparatus ◽  
Mechanical Strengths ◽  
Available Resources

AbstractFor a sustainable human presence on the Moon, it is critical to develop technologies that could utilise the locally available resources (a.k.a. in situ resource utilisation or ISRU) for habitat construction. As the surface soil is one of the most widely available resources at the Moon, we have investigated the viability of microwave heating of a lunar soil simulant (JSC-1A). JSC-1A was thermally treated in a bespoke microwave apparatus using 2.45 GHz frequency, using five different microwave powers in the range of 250 W to 1000 W. The structural properties of the resulting products were analysed to determine whether their microstructures and mechanical strengths differ under different input powers; and whether input power plays a crucial role in triggering thermal runaway, for identifying the optimum power for developing a microwave-heating. Our key findings are: (i) the higher input powers (800 W and 1000 W) generate the highest yields and microstructures with the greatest mechanical strengths, at the shortest fabrication times, and (ii) thermal runaway improves the microwave heating efficiency despite the rapid increase in temperature, once it is triggered. Our findings are of key importance for developing a microwave-heating payload for future lunar ISRU demonstration missions, contributing towards 3D printing-based extra-terrestrial construction processes.

Thematic maps in the scientific studies of the moon

2019 ◽  
Vol 943 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
S.G. Pugacheva ◽  
E.A. Feoktistova ◽  
V.V. Shevchenko
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Thermal Inertia ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Surface Cooling ◽  
Laser Altimeters ◽  
Space Infrastructure ◽  
The Impact

The article presents the results of astrophysical studies of the Moon’s reflected and intrinsic radiation. We studied the intensity of the Moon’s infrared radiation and, thus, carried out a detailed research of the brightness temperature of the Moon’s visible disc, estimated the thermal inertia of the coating substance by the rate of its surface cooling, and the degree of the lunar soil fragmentation. Polarimetric, colorimetric and spectrophotometric measurements of the reflected radiation intensity were carried out at different wavelengths. In the article, we present maps prepared based on our measurement results. We conducted theresearch of the unique South Pole – Aitken basin (SPA). The altitude profiles of the Apollo-11 and Zond-8 spacecrafts and the data of laser altimeters of the Apollo-16 and Apollo-15 spacecrafts were used as the main material. Basing upon this data we prepared a hypsometric map of SPA-basing global relief structure. A surface topography map of the Moon’s Southern Hemisphere is given in the article. The topography model of the SPA topography surface shows displacement centers of the altitude topographic rims from the central rim. Basing upon the detailed study of the basin’s topography as well as its “depth-diameter” ratio we suggest that the basin originated from the impact of a giant cometary body from the Orta Cloud. In our works, we consider the Moon as a part of the Earth’s space infrastructure. High growth rates of the Earth’s population, irrational nature management will cause deterioration of scarce natural resources in the near future. In our article, we present maps of the natural resources on the Moon pointing out the most promising regions of thorium, iron, and titanium. Probably in 20 or 40 years a critical mining level of gold, diamonds, zinc, platinum and other vital rocks and metals will be missing on the Earth.

scholarly journals Research on Electromagnetic Sensitivity Properties of Sodium Chloride during Microwave Heating

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
Hua Chen ◽  
Junjiang Chen ◽  
Weijun Wang ◽  
Huan Lin
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Heating Rate ◽  
Microwave Heating ◽  
Resonant Cavity ◽  
Relative Dielectric Constant ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Heating Process ◽  
Heating Efficiency

AbstractThe multimode resonant cavity is the most common cavity. The material often shows on selective heating performance during the heating process due to the effect of microwave heating having a closely relationship with the electromagnetism parameters. This paper is based on finite difference time domain method (FDTD) to establish the electromagnetic-thermal model. The electromagnetic sensitivity property parameters of sodium chloride including relative dielectric constant, loss angle tangent and water content of sodium chloride is studied during the heating and drying process. The heating rate and the electric field distribution of sodium chloride, at the different water content, were simulated with the electromagnetic characteristic parameters changing. The results show that with the electromagnetic sensitivity property parameters varying, the electric field strength, heating rate and steady-state temperature of the heating material will all have a variety in the cavity. Some measures are proposed to improve the heating efficiency and ensure the stability of the microwave heating system in the industrial application.

scholarly journals 2.2.4 Lunar Soil Movement Registered by the Apollo 17 Cosmic Dust Experiment

1976 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 233-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otto E. Berg ◽  
Henry Wolf ◽  
John Rhee
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Cosmic Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Normal Impact ◽  
Soil Movement ◽  
Impact Parameters

In December, 1973, a Lunar Ejecta and Meteorites (LEAM) experiment was placed in the Taurus-Littrow area of the moon by the Apollo 17 Astronauts. Objectives of the experiment were centered around measurements of impact parameters of cosmic dust on the lunar surface. During preliminary attempts to analyze the data it became evident that the events registered by the sensors could not be attributed to cosmic dust but could only be identified with the lunar surface and the local sun angle. The nature of these data coupled with post-flight studies of instrument characteristics, have led to a conclusion that the LEAM experiment is responding primarily to a flux of highly charged, slowly moving lunar surface fines. Undoubtedly concealed in these data is the normal impact activity from cosmic dust and probably lunar ejecta, as well. This paper is based on the recognition that the bulk of events registered by the LEAM experiment are not signatures of hypervelocity cosmic dust particles, as expected, but are induced signatures of electrostatically charged and transported lunar fines.

POSSIBILITIES OF STUDYING THE LUNAR SOIL AND COMPARING THE COMPOSITIONS OF LUNAR AND TERRESTRIAL CLINOPYROXENES

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 6-17
Author(s):  
Z. Golitsyna ◽  
◽  
A. Kirdyashkin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Compositional Analysis ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Initial Composition ◽  
Basic Model ◽  
Lunar Rocks ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
Temperature And Pressure

The problem of compositional analysis of extraterrestrial crystalline rocks in the study of celestial bodies is considered. Since most of the bodies, terrestrial planets and their surrounding objects may contain clinopyroxenes, it is possible to study the temperature and pressure of rock formation in certain areas according to the state of these minerals, and the studies can be carried out identically to the geothermobarometry of Earth rocks. The paper presents the results of experimental studies of clinopyroxene compositions of the basic model system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 in the pressure range of 12...30 kbar and temperatures of 1325...1650 °C, which can be assumed as conditions for the formation of lunar rocks. The development of the necessary experimental data obtained in terrestrial conditions will help in the future to conduct remote studies of the Moon and other celestial bodies without the need to deliver soil to Earth. The revealed clinopyroxenes can be analyzed with existing geothermometers and geobarometers obtained for different ranges of P-T conditions. The possibility of creating a new geothermobarometer based on the distribution of minals or cations in clinopyroxene specifically for lunar rocks is not excluded. The main features and possible instrumentation of the apparatus intended for the study of the lunar surface are described. The study of different areas of the lunar surface will determine where the country rocks are located most closely to the surface. Analysis of silicate components of the lunar rocks will make it possible to get closer to the solution to the problem of initial composition of the lunar mantle

Thermal Runaway of the BaCO3 + Fe2O3 Homogenous Mixture and Mechanical Alloys at the Microwave Heating

2013 ◽  
Vol 837 ◽  
pp. 185-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Danut Savu ◽  
Sorin Vasile Savu ◽  
Gabriel Constantin Benga
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Microwave Heating ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Critical Phenomenon ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Heating Time ◽  
Thermal Runaway ◽  
Heating Process ◽  
Active System

Microwave heating represents a modern technique to sintering the composites materials. The microwaves absorbance property of the materials is depending by the electrical permittivity of the materials. Researchers showed that the ceramic materials are suitable for sintering using microwave heating. The most important advantage of that sintering procedure is the reduced sintering time and temperatures. However, during the heating process these properties are changing and a pattern of the heating process cannot be established. The penetration depth of microwaves into materials depends on the electrical properties of them, and gives rise to a heat source. The electromagnetic wave absorption is responsible for the macro and micro structural changes in the materials morphology, and consequently for their electrical properties. Thermal runaway is one phenomenon which should be avoided during the microwave processing of the materials. The microwave heating consists in direct introduction of the energy in the volume of the material. If the absorbance properties of the material are increasing with temperature, than a critical phenomenon, called thermal runaway, appears during the heating process. This paper aims to study the thermal runaway of the BaCO3 + Fe2O3 homogenous mixture and mechanical alloy in a mono-mode applicator, when the heat source is a microwave generator at 2,45 Ghz. A special mono-mode chamber has been designed with dimensions 140 x 140 x 70 mm and an active system for rotating the samples, in order to record the values of the temperature and to assure a uniform exposure of the samples to the high frequency electromagnetic field. The materials used in experiments were homogenous mixture of BaCO3 + Fe2O3 which have been milled in a planetary ball mill for 5 and 20 hours. The experimental procedure consists in establishing the levels of the temperatures during the microwave heating process when the thermal runaway appears. These experiments have been done for fixed levels of microwave injected power from 0 1250 W. Numerical simulation for different heating conditions (microwave power, heating time, position of the samples inside the chamber) has been performed in order to elaborate a predictable mathematical model for continuous microwave heating and avoiding the thermal runaway of the homogenous mixture.

Research of Formed Lunar Regholit Analog AGK-2010 / Badania wytworzonego analogu gruntu księżycowego AGK-2010

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 551-556
Author(s):  
Stanisław Bednarz ◽  
Mirosław Rzyczniak ◽  
Andrzej Gonet ◽  
Karol Seweryn
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Shear Strength ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Mechanical Parameters ◽  
The Moon ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The results investigations of a soil having similar properties as lunar regolith performed at the Department of Drilling and Geoengineering, Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków are presented in this paper. The research was carried out jointly with the Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. The objective of the cooperation was to minimize the cost of tests of penetrator KRET, which will be used on the surface of the Moon. The American lunar regolith (e.g. CHENOBI) was used as reference soil. The most important properties were presented graphically in the form of figures and tables: grain size distribution, selected physical properties (bulk density, colour), selected mechanical parameters (shear strength, inner friction strength, cohesion). As a result the first Polish lunar soil analog AGK-2010 was produced.

The Effects of Power Level on the Microwave Heating of Selected Chemicals and Minerals

1988 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. McGill ◽  
J. W. Walkiewicz ◽  
G. A. Smyres
Keyword(s):  
Microwave Heating ◽  
Power Level ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Inert Atmosphere ◽  
Input Power ◽  
Heating Rates ◽  
Alumina Crucible ◽  
Quartz Beaker ◽  
Lossy Materials ◽  
Power Microwave

ABSTRACTThe effect of power level on the microwave heating characteristics of a variety of reagent-grade chemicals and minerals has been determined in a Bureau of Mines study. Heating rates of the powdered samples are presented for incident power ranging from 500 to 2,000 W at 2.45 GHz. The apparatus consisted of a WR 975 waveguide-applicator mounted to WR 284 waveguide sections and connected to a 3-kW power source. Tests were conducted in an alumina crucible enclosed in a fused-quartz beaker that was fitted with a Teflon lid to allow for a controlled inert atmosphere and thermocouple insertion. In general, heating rates increased as input power increased. Exceptions to this were some very high-lossy (microwave receptive) and very low-lossy materials that showed negligible changes with increased power. Microwave data collected should provide insight as to possible chemical and mineral processing applications as well as to assist in predictions of processing parameters.

scholarly journals First measurements of the radiation dose on the lunar surface

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (39) ◽  
pp. eaaz1334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenyi Zhang ◽  
Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber ◽  
Jia Yu ◽  
Chi Wang ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Solar Particle Events ◽  
Neutral Particles ◽  
Particle Dose

Human exploration of the Moon is associated with substantial risks to astronauts from space radiation. On the surface of the Moon, this consists of the chronic exposure to galactic cosmic rays and sporadic solar particle events. The interaction of this radiation field with the lunar soil leads to a third component that consists of neutral particles, i.e., neutrons and gamma radiation. The Lunar Lander Neutrons and Dosimetry experiment aboard China’s Chang’E 4 lander has made the first ever measurements of the radiation exposure to both charged and neutral particles on the lunar surface. We measured an average total absorbed dose rate in silicon of 13.2 ± 1 μGy/hour and a neutral particle dose rate of 3.1 ± 0.5 μGy/hour.

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